As Lent season is coming to a close, I wanted to reflect on my current 46-day journey and how it is a living nightmare.
The night before Ash Wednesday, I thought about what I could possibly give up for the lent season. I narrowed down a list of things from red meat to sweets, all the way down to giving up every drink possible except for water. By the end of the night, I realized nothing on my list was possible. I mean, spring break was around the corner and with vacation comes food galore.
So, I thought hard. At the time, I was indulging in a venti iced caramel macchiato on my daily caffeine high and then it came to me – I must give up Starbucks and all things caffeine. Of course, at the time I thought it was brilliant idea. It would give me the chance to see how strong my body could be without caffeine; clear my face up a bit; and save me a little extra cash. My intentions were good, trust me.
Day 1
I walked passed the Starbucks in the JC before my 1:30PM sociology class and took a deep breath. I could smell the strong aroma of coffee beans all the way outside. “You can do this Brianna,” I said to myself as I held my head high sipping on my 20-ounce bottle of water.
Week 1
Week one was terrible. I begin to develop major migraines and sluggishness. It wasn’t just a here and there thing, but an everyday, non-stop excruciating pain. I literally had to pop about four extra-strength Tylenols a day while enduring the madness on campus and in my dorm building. I spent most of the first days sleeping the pain away as I contemplated was this lent challenge really worth it.
Week 2 (Spring Break)
Finally, spring break had arrived and I was going home. I thought, “Wow, now I can get away from campus and everything Starbucks and caffeine.” But, I was wrong. Unfortunately, I caught a cold over break and had to suffer from a sore throat because I couldn’t have any tea because tea equals caffeine. Around here, I think I almost cracked.
Week 3
Right after spring break, I began my new job at Student Involvement. Of course, I got the opening shift at 9 o’clock sharp Mondays and Wednesdays, which luckily are my long days for classes. Being that I had drank so much coffee from staying up at night doing homework, I had developed extreme insomnia. From here, I knew this was a bad idea. But hey, I only have two weeks left.
Week 4
Still battling the insomnia craze, I decided to start taking melatonin. However, that was a fail too. I honestly don’t know how I managed to survive the day. I came back to my dorm and just died in my bed. By then, I had already missed a whole day of classes but I still wouldn’t give up. I got up, went to work, went to class, came home and died again. I still don’t understand how I have the energy to write this. But on the bright side, the new Dunkin’ Donuts on campus just opened up, so yay for that (not really).
Week 5 and Future Predictions
Now with one week left until I can go back to being a caffeine feind, I sit here and think, “Was this all actually worth it?” In a sense, yes, because now I have flawless skin. But mentally and emotionally – NO! This by far has been the most extreme challenge I have ever done. In all honestly, I should have just given up red meat because I barely eat it, but me being a woman of many risks, I decided this was the best choice. Will I do this again? Probably not. But I guess it was worth the journey. I’m just thankful I haven’t killed someone yet.